BirthMark

by Sydney Addae

  He walked to his dad and hugged him. “Thank you…thanks for coming,” Tyrese said through their link.

  “You are my son. I would die for you or Rone. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, many your mom pointed out to me a few hours ago –”

  Tyrese pushed back in surprise. “You talked to mom? At the compound?” He looked his dad over for bruises. “The Patron allowed it?”

  Davian smiled. “He was in the room and there was some growling, but for the most part I got to explain and apologize. It had been eating at me for a long time. I am happy you and your brother took care of your mom when I couldn’t. I’m very happy she has a mate who loves her.”

  Tyrese nodded. Glad his dad had finally come clean.

  “I am so proud of you and Rone. Living with the Patron and on his security team. I thought I would hit the floor when I heard that.”

  Tyrese’s heart leapt at his father’s praise. He stepped aside as someone stepped forward and looked at his dad.

  “Is he really the Patron’s son?” the communications guy asked Davian, who stared at the youngster for a minute.

  “Why?” Davian asked, frowning.

  “Because that’s what this whole thing was about, grabbing the Patron’s son to use as a bargaining chip. I just wondered if they got the right guy.”

  Davian smiled and didn’t answer. Tyrese placed his hand on his dad’s shoulder and squeezed.

  Chapter 17

  Silas watched for a moment later and switched monitors. Security had just zipped up four body bags and lined them up in the tunnel on the floor.

  “Is this from the extermination?” Silas asked through the mic.

  “Yes, Sir. Three were in the HVAC ducts and one had been hiding in a supply room. All human, Sir.” Silas sent a silent thanks to Jacques for instituting their current security check program. The toxic gas he had released in the unsecured areas throughout the compound had been a costly venture, but looking at the bodies on the ground, it was worth it. No telling what these people had planned to do. He sent a message to Rose to have the gas tank refilled and the duct system checked.

  Silas exhaled. “Good work, stand front and center.” They all stepped in front of the bodies. One lagged a bit and then joined the line. Silas scanned each hooded guard. “The one on the end is human.” The security guard next to the human whipped out his gun and shot the perpetrator. The man fell to the ground. The other guards helped strip off his gear, leaving him naked and exposed.

  “Did they have any tattoos or anything identifying them as belonging to a group or something?”

  “No, Sir. We have collected their weapons. There weren’t that many. They had a lot of surveillance equipment.”

  “Institute full searches by quadrants after I air out the area. I want no bugs in my house.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Silas returned to the conversation with the doctor and Tyrese.

  <<<<>>>>

  “We’re almost there,” the lead honor guard told Silas, who repeated the information to Tyrese.

  Disturbed more than he wanted to admit over the human invaders, Silas watched the various monitors of the hallways in the compound, the lab, the gym and the grounds.

  “Jasmine, everything okay?”

  “We’re good.”

  “Davian got to Tyrese, they’re waiting for the guard to dig them out and then they’ll be on their way.”

  “Rese is okay?” He heard the nervous quiver in her voice and sought to ease her fears.

  “They gave him a shot of something. Rone said it burned like fire through Rese’s system. I was monitoring him and the only thing I noticed was his heartbeat was faster.”

  “You might want to check with Matt. He told me the detective received a shot of something, and based on the previous condition of your wolf, it will amp it up. Kind of like a steroid shot.”

  Silas hadn’t had a chance to go over the reports from the labs or receive a personal briefing. He was sure there was a lot more going on than what Jasmine said.

  “Will do,” he said, looking at the unopened file from Tyrese with the doctor’s conversation.

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “Speaking of ideas, I wonder when I’ll be treated to a purple and black treat.” He was jealous knowing she’d dressed special for her ex and hadn’t for him. At least not yet. Normally he preferred her naked, but the image of her sexy curves and smooth skin in wisps of satin and lace had taken root. Now he wanted to see her in seductress mode.

  “Really? You’d like that?”

  He shook his head at the question. “Most men like that. Except, not in those colors, dress for me in a different color.”

  She giggled. “I only did that to get things moving with him. We’ve never had that problem. But I’ll dress for you if you want me to.”

  “I want you to,” he purred.

  “Oh, okay. Damn you sounded so sexy just then. Do it again.”

  “Jasmine,” he said her name in a soft purring sound.

  “Sir?”

  Silas closed his eyes at the interruption. “Yes?” he said without looking at Tyrone.

  “There’s something wrong with the remote’s monitor.”

  He looked over his shoulder and the screen blinked on and off, followed by a series of rolling codes and symbols. Something was going on with the laptop.

  “I’ll get back with you, baby.”

  Silas watched the display, wondering where it was headed. He punched in a few keys and inserted a tracking device into the USB port. The screen blanked and a picture of a large black wolf, which looked remarkably similar to Silas’ wolf, jogged across the screen and was hit with a bolt of lightning. It was a grisly sight with body parts flying everywhere, which merely stiffened Silas’ resolve to find and eviscerate the fuckers.

  He scooted to his main computer to insure he hadn’t lost control of his network. Everything was good. He released a breath and waited to see if there was anything more to the animation.

  “I hear something, they must be getting close,” Tyrese said through their link.

  Silas looked at his other monitors and although the honor guard was moving fast, none of the groups looked to be that close to the area with Tyrese. Perhaps the noises were amplified and echoing off the walls.

  “It looks like it’ll be a while,” Silas said while watching the laptop. A message, with large white letters on a black backdrop, scrolled from bottom to top, reminding him of the beginning of Star Wars.

  “Silas Knight is no more a leader or protector of the wolves than the President of the United States is a protector of human life. both of your decisions are couched in the approval of others. The very nature of wolves was changed beneath your nose and in your arrogance, you missed it. Change came over a decade ago and you were asleep on your post. Thousands of wolves have died over the years as lab rats and you are clueless. You sit and make judgments without knowledge of the facts. As a result you have been judged as unworthy. Your house of cards will tumble. You have failed. You will fall.”

  The picture of the dead wolf grew larger and larger until it eclipsed the screen.

  “That’s some bullshit,” Tyrone said from next to him. “Cowards won’t show their faces, they hide behind a fucking computer saying all kinds of shit.” He slammed the top of the console and rolled back to his monitors on the other side of the room. Silas felt the young pup’s anger and let him be.

  Silas watched the blackened screen unsure of his feelings. There was a certain amount of truth in the words. He hadn’t been aware of the breeding program, it had caught him unprepared. A queasy feeling filled his gut at the possible number of wolves it had taken to perfect the cross breeding process. He was late to the game.

  But you are here now,” the soft words from his mate blew across the acrid places in his soul, watering and softening the landscape.” Your heart beats true. You govern the wolves from a position of service to your Goddess. You must trust that you were kept unaware for a rea
son and continue to serve with the same commitment,” Jasmine whispered through their link. “You are a man of honor. My man of honor,” she continued. Her words filled his mind, healing his bruised heart. “Don’t stop being the baddest wolf around because of someone who hides behind vague expressions.”

  He smiled. Her words strengthened his determination to finish this fight. Knowing she believed in him, believed he had done his best to serve his people, girded him up in ways nothing else could. Her unwavering faith soothed his battered ego and lifted his flailing spirits.

  “You are good man, a great leader and an awesome father to your children. Do not allow assholes who don’t know you to cause you grief. Put that bullshit where it belongs, in the toilet, so we can kick their asses.”

  His smile morphed into laughter. The screen blanked and the dim interior of the mine returned. “Bloodthirsty bitch.”

  “Only when my man or family comes under attack. You have my permission to eliminate their asses in any manner you wish. Just come back to me in one piece.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Rese, how’s it going?” Silas asked, and then frowned when there was no response. He glanced behind him at Tyrone. “I just tried to contact Rese but it didn’t go through.”

  “I know. There’s been interference since that bullshit rolled up. I’ve been trying to reach him and Dad. No luck with either of them.”

  Silas panned the camera and saw the five of them standing near the van. Asia was talking to the communications person, while Davian and Tyrese stood to the side chatting. Silas rebooted the laptop; the video came on immediately, but still there was no audio, and no way to contact the wolves. Stunned, Silas watched with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. More bullshit was on the way and he couldn’t warn his people.

  Shit.

  <<<<>>>>

  “I can’t reach, Rone,” Tyrese said to his dad, hoping he would realize that meant he couldn’t connect with the Patron either.

  “I’ve been trying to reach him too, but all I get is static,” Davian said, picking up his gun and moving away from the noises coming from the outside. “Let’s move up so until we’re sure those are friends out there.” He nodded to the small space above the beams connected to the steel posts, which helped the ceiling remain in place.

  Tyrese eyed the beams with uncertainty; they didn’t look steady or strong enough to hold him or his dad. Asia pulled her rife across her shoulder, and after a series of jumps landed gracefully on the side of a beam, pulled herself over, laid down with her weapon pointed at the opening.

  The breeds' eyes widened as they watched Davian do the same thing on the opposite side of the clearing. Tyrese slung his weapon onto his back and picked up the breeds, one beneath each arm. He leapt over the short ledge and landed on the platform that housed the communications area. He set them down and pointed to the small space beneath the console.

  “Wait here, remain still, and don’t talk.” They huddled close together and leaned as close to the makeshift wall as possible. Satisfied he had done all he could for them, he turned and leapt up. The rocks on the wall were unstable and fell beneath his weight. He landed hard on the ground with a grunt.

  Winded, he leaned up on both arms, and shook his head, realizing he wasn’t back to one hundred percent yet.

  “You okay?” his dad asked through their link.

  He pushed up and stood slowly. “Yeah, just a bit disoriented. Give me a sec.”

  “We don’t have a second,” his dad said as the rapid fire of guns split the air. Tyrese was slammed backward as he was hit, and he fell on top of the tumbled wall. Another bullet hit his chest, and then several more hit his arms and legs. Each entry point burned and he smelled the stench of his seared flesh.

  He sought Tyrone and there was nothing but static. In the background, he heard the battle ensue but had no idea what was going on. “Hold on, Rese,” his father said.

  “Okay,” he said automatically, not sure how to carry out that demand. He closed his eyes to distance himself from the agonizing pain in his body. His wolf snapped and snarled at the invading pieces of silver. Tyrese’s thoughts went to his mother. She was going to be so pissed. The thought brought a smile to his lips. If she had any idea he was laying on the ground, full of bullets, bleeding out, there would be hell to pay. Her love eased his pain. Knowing how distraught she would be strengthened his determination to not die on the dirty floor of an abandoned mine.

  Rough hands grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up. He bit his lip to keep from screaming in pain. Someone grabbed his jaw and shook his face. Opening his eyes, he looked into a dark pair that looked eerily familiar.

  “So this is the son of La Patron?” the man sneered and then spit in Tyrese’s face. Next, he punched Tyrese in the stomach so hard he lost his breath and the world went black for a moment. The next hit to his jaw had Tyrese spitting out blood.

  “Stop, if you kill him, we all die,” someone yelled from behind the man holding him.

  “Then I die and take a piece of La Patron with me.” Out of the corner of his eye, Tyrese saw the glint of steel and stiffened.

  “Stop,” Davian’s voice rang out.

  Tyrese inhaled a bit as the hold on his arm loosened slightly. “What the hell?” the man whispered as if shock. “Davie?”

  His father stood a few feet from them. Tyrese met his agonized gaze and swallowed hard.

  “What? ...they told us you were dead. Why didn’t you contact us? Let us know you were alive all this time?” The man sounded happy and angry at the same time.

  Tyrese’s mind raced even as it filled in the blanks. The man holding him was kin, a Bennett. “Don’t tell him I’m not Patron’s son. Please,” he said to his dad. “I have to protect my brothers.”

  His dad gave him a subtle nod. Tyrese sought Tyrone again and received static. He needed an energy boost to dispel the bullets so he could shift and heal. His wolf snapped again, snarling and howling louder, gaining his attention. That’s when it dawned on him that he was no longer bleeding. The silver tips of the bullets should’ve prevented his body from healing. An inexplicable heat swept through him, his stomach clenched and he was sure he was going to be sick. Beads of sweat popped on his forehead as the temperature in his body increased. He gritted his teeth against the firestorm racing through him. Bit by bit, his wounds healed and the pain dissipated. His wolf snapped and growled, demanding release. Confused by what had just happened, Tyrese looked up and noticed his father on the ground on his knees, hands behind his head with a gun to his forehead. Operating on instinct, Tyrese grabbed the knife from the man in front of him who was spewing vile, hateful words to this father, threw it and hit the man holding the gun on Davian right between the eyes.

  Tyrese spun in and kicked one of the men holding him and punched the other. Both hit rock solid walls with a crunch and slid down, their necks broken.

  “Fuck!” The man who had punched him yelled, trying to grab him from behind. But Tyrese avoided his arms by jumping over him and landing behind him. He wrapped his arms around the thick neck in a choke hold and squeezed until the man went limp. Then he grabbed his head, twisted and broke his neck. Bending down, he grabbed the rifle and ammo and returned fire.

  Some of the men shifted and Tyrese noticed his dad had as well. The small space stank of blood and death. Three wolves jumped over a pile of debris toward him and Tyrese shifted. Only instead of a full wolf shift, his body stopped midway. Or at least that’s what it felt like. He was much taller and wider. His claws were twice as long and his teeth crowded his elongated jaw. He didn’t have any time to wonder what his body was doing; his wolf took charge and swung his large paw at the first wolf. The animal flew across the room with gaping holes in its side, and hit the wall. The next two wolves attempted to attack him from different sides. He waited until they came at him, and jumped up. The wolves hit each other and were stunned. Landing, he grabbed them by their necks, breaking them before tossing them aside. Ty
rese waded full throttle into the fight. Although it was just him and his dad, together they literally destroyed the other pack until there was only one man left heaving on the ground.

  Tyrese called his wolf and shifted to all fours. To say he was relieved was an understatement. It had been in the back of his mind that he might never be able to run on four legs again.

  He released a howl. There were echoes of his howl beyond the walls of the mine. The honor guard was close. He released another howl. This one was answered by his dad, Asia, and the two breeds.

  Returning to his human form, he realized his dad stood looking down at the man on the ground. Curious, he walked over to see what the delay was. The man looked at him through hate-filled hazel eyes.

  “What’s up?” he asked as Asia landed next to him, her weapon on her arm.

  “That’s Josh. Joshua Bennett,” Davian said, glancing at him. “My father,” he added through their link.

  Tyrese clapped his dad on his shoulder. “Whatever you decide to do is fine with me.” He stepped back to find a place to sit. Now that the fight was over, his system was on overload. Adrenaline pumped through him like a train. His eyes burned, his skin itched. He needed to run or fuck. He eyed Asia; she met his look with a glimmer of a smile.

  Good.

  The half-breed guard walked toward him slowly and stopped. “I’m Hamus. This is Shaun,” he said in a low voice. Wide-eyed, they bowed to him.

  Confused, Tyrese crossed his arms and waited for them to explain. “What’re you doing?”

  “You must be La Patron’s son. No one has ever done what you did except the Patron,” Shaun said.

  “Keep it quiet, we don’t want anyone to know, okay?” Tyrese said, going into damage control mode. As soon as he returned he would have Matt check him out. Obviously the shot altered him in somehow, but he wasn’t exactly sure how just yet.

  Both young men nodded seriously as though they had just passed some type of initiation and were in an exclusive club.